One of Oregon’s Quirkiest Towns Is Still Flying Under the Radar

Shakespeare has already posed a famous question about names and what purpose they provide, but this quirky town in Oregon seems to be going against the grain with its unusual moniker. The town is called Boring, and yes, that’s its real name. But, look a bit more into it, and it’s easy to see how the town is anything BUT boring!

Where Is Boring and Why Is It So Unique?

Nestled in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, Boring is located between Portland and Mount Hood. With such a close proximity to Oregon’s biggest city, as well as the popular Mount Hood, you’d think that the town’s name would reflect a somewhat more exciting nature. In reality, the name of the town doesn’t have to do with any qualities of the area or of its people; it actually refers to the last name of a soldier (William Boring) who helped establish the town. 

Ironically, the town’s name has had a major impact on why the area is so unique. In an attempt to show tourists how NOT boring they are, there have been many attempts to draw people into the area using fun attractions, odd annual events, and employing strategies that highlight the resources they have to access the natural area around them, including farms, forests, streams, wildlife refuges, state parks, the Mount Hood National Forest, and the Columbia River Gorge (only a short drive away). They’ve also played up the humor and partnered with Dull, Scotland, and Bland, Australia, as a tourist tactic of sister cities with similarly unexciting names.

The Quirky Attractions and Events That Define This Town

The Annual Goth Float

Taking place on a weekend in August, this yearly float starts in Boring and ends in Oregon City, following the Clackamas River. Participants wear goth or black ensembles, in addition to fun, colorful floats to offset the black outfits. 

Farms and Nurseries

The area is a hub for agriculture, and as such, there are dozens of farms and nurseries to visit. The most popular to visit are Liepold Farms, Dolan Creek Farm, the Boring Square Garden Center, Bushue Family Farm & Nursery, and Thompson Farms. 

The North American Bigfoot Museum

Here, you’ll find exhibits, past and current research on the famous figure, and a gift shop with all sorts of fun goodies. But be warned, these guys take Bigfoot seriously—so keep that in mind when visiting. 

Summerween

Since this underrated town inspired the fictional town of Gravity Falls in the show “Gravity Falls,” Boring follows a similar tradition in the television show, where they celebrate Halloween twice! This is Summerween—where locals can dress up, decorate their houses, and take part in spooky events hosted around the town in June. Often, the events will have a summery twist on the classic fall holiday, carving melons or other fruits instead of pumpkins and taking advantage of the warm weather with outdoor movie nights. 

The Mount Hood Center

Mainly a large equestrian center, this area also offers a venue to host weddings and other parties. The party vibe will be rustic horse-chic, of course. 

The Dull and Boring Community Day

This is a day meant to acknowledge the town’s sister city Dull, Scotland. There is often a parade, music (usually Scottish music), food for sale, raffles, and an ice cream social. 

Why This Unique Small Town in Oregon Still Flies Under the Radar

In truth, it’s rather odd that this small town remains under the radar as much as it does. The area does a very good job of advertising itself, has great attractions and events, and has a prime location with access to Oregon’s most populous city, as well as one of the most famous natural landscapes in the state. They've even upped their effort in the hospitality game, with nearby bed and breakfasts and vacation rentals fit for the whole family (one in particular is noted for its game room, hot tub, and excellent access to outdoor adventures). They’ve also been featured in a Netflix television show, “Everything Sucks!,” and inspired the hit show “Gravity Falls.” So, what gives?

Upon reflection, it seems like the area’s excellent location may be great for locals, but not so much for tourists. Everything about the proximity to well-visited and loved places is true, but it means that there are just more popular places to visit than Boring. It’s slightly too far for a quick pop-over from a trip to the Columbia River Gorge, it doesn’t have the amount of wineries that tourists visiting the Willamette Valley look for, and it’s just one of many beautiful places near Mount Hood. As such, it’s easy to overlook (despite the interesting name). 

With the Boring town motto ironically being “the most exciting place to live,” perhaps tourists will soon realize that it’s an exciting and fun place to visit as well! But until then, Boring will continue to puzzle and delight people with its unusual name, using it as a quirky way to showcase its town and the attractions it's amassed for people to enjoy. Until then, go and visit Boring before tourists realize what an exciting catch it is!